I know, I know. We’ve shot Entropy several times in the past couple of years. But it’s just so much fun!

"A Warning of Entropy - 8/365", by Jer Kunz

This monthly challenge fits our every-other-month challenge. Yes, we’re facilitating the 2010 Challenge, which has you shooting one really great image each week. That challenge is designed to force you to think, plan, and create really wonderful art. The monthly challenges are more geared to force you to get out and shoot with a bit of discomfort. If you’re not frustrated at least once during a monthly challenge, you’re not pushing yourself hard enough!

"Entropy #23", by Wolfman-K

Honestly, I’ve seen some of the best effort made by most of you when we’re shooting broken down old stuff. Go back and take a look at the old posts; the April Challenge 2008, the recap, and Day #8 of the 2009 Challenge. Those posts should give you even more than what I’m writing here.

Entropy is basically things that are breaking down, devolution. Our world surrounds us with things that break down. Just look around.

"Entropy 19: Bricks", by hpebley3

So, each day of the month, in April 2010, you need to photograph an entropy-themed photograph. Then submit it to our PhotoChallenge.org Flickr Group’s pool. Make sure to tag it with “aprilchallenge2010”.

Last year, we did a month-long challenge focusing on entropy. Personally, I grew a lot from it. But, you can read the recap for more on that. Many of you participated, so it shouldn’t be hard to catch just one more in that series.

"Old books", by lilahpops

"Shouldn't Have Looked", by Jeremy Brooks

Oh yeah, what is entropy? Well, entropy as I defined it in the last challenge is…

A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.

The tendency for all matter and energy in the universe to evolve toward a state of inert uniformity.

Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society.

Devolution

You get it? Good!

"K&T entropy", by Arlo Bates

"Entropy #23", by Wolfman-K

Once you’re ready to submit your work to Flickr, you’ve got to do two important things. First, make sure you tag your photos correctly; “2009challenge″. Also, if you haven’t already, join the PhotoChallenge group on Flickr. Then, submit each day’s photo to the group’s pool.

I think this challenge has effected me more than I thought it would. As a photographer, I’m more aware of what I’m hunting now. I see broken down and rusty things everywhere. Two of my last few submissions were taken whilst I was waiting for my carpool partners, after work. One friend said, “What are you taking a picture of?” I went on to describe to him what the cracks in the concrete represent. He either thinks I’m real weird, or really insightful. Probably weird.

Anyway, this challenge also reminded me of how many people really enjoy participating in group projects like this. I think there’s something inside of us that yearns to not only belong to a community, but to be involved in that community. We yearn to belong.

As you saw in my mid-month post, there are a whole lot of people who participated in this challenge. Nearly 700 submissions by over 40 people. That’s great!

One of the most active participants, Jeremy Brooks, took it upon himself to produce a sweet video of his work on the April Challenge. It’s embedded below. Then, below that are some of my faves.

Today’s submissions follow my mini theme of aging cameras. These cameras belong to my dad. I believe that each were, however, once actually used by my grandparents. I know they were all purchased new, by my family.

Entropy is everywhere and all around us. Speaking for my own experience, I have begun to look for old and broken things everywhere. I see the wrinkles in every old person’s face. I see the rust on every vehicle. I see the peeling paint on every building. It’s amazing how participating in themed challenges brings to your attention the target that you hunt.

What follows are some of my favorite submissions, as found on Flickr. I know there are others, but I’m concerned about empty squares as other photo-sharing sites go through random upgrades. Enjoy.

This photo best represents my view of entropy today. This water tower oversees a large agricultural field. In times past, farmers had to rely on gravity to help them water their fields. Of course, today they utilize high powered water pumps. But this reminder helps the residents of the Oxnard plains know where we’ve come from. We live in an area that has some of the most fertile soil in the world.

Additionally, the vandalism decorated all over the tower, also reminds us of the elements in our society that keep us dancing the line of degradation and entropy.